With rear-end collisions being the most common car accident, you are probably somewhat familiar with them or have even experienced one. Rear-end collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into another car that is directly in front of it. These accidents are generally the fault of the last car in the collision and most law enforcement officers will cite that driver since had that driver been more careful or followed less closely, the accident would not have occurred.
In the unfortunate case that you have been in a rear-end collision, you should be aware of what steps to take directly following the accident, and who to call if you have suffered any losses.
- Call the police. Call 911 and have a police officer come to the scene. A police officer can assess the situation and file a police report. A police report will create documentation of the collision and will also detail how the accident occurred and who is at fault, generally. This information is usually required by the insurance company before they pay a claim.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, be sure to seek medical attention to be checked out. Some injuries are not immediately obvious, such as internal injuries, so you want to be sure that you do not have a major problem and don’t know it so it’s a good idea to be checked out just in case.
- Exchange information and speak to witnesses. If both drivers cooperate and are willing to talk, you can exchange contact information so the claim may be more easily resolved. Share insurance company names and write down the information about that person’s vehicle. If there are any witnesses, collect their information and ask if they can provide a statement. Witness statements can be beneficial to you if you end up having to go to court.
- Take photos. Take photos of both cars and the scene if you can. You want to make sure to take photos that document the damage to your car, both up close and from a distance. We recommend that you take photos of the other car also as this may be the only chance you get to obtain these photos. Also, be sure to take pictures of the scene and any marks on the road, too. This helps document what happened and can be useful to send to the insurance company later.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer. Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer is the last, but perhaps the most important step. A Personal Injury Lawyer can help you gain the compensation you deserve from the accident. We can be there to guide you through the process and make sure you are compensated for your losses. You may want to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer early on in your claim so your attorney can preserve evidence and document your claim from the outset.
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision and you have been through physical or financial loss, contact our office at Kelly & West. Our experienced lawyers are here for you.
